North Shore Branch

North Shore Branch
The abandoned eastern portion of the North Shore Branch. The Bayonne Bridge can be seen in the background.
Overview
StatusAbandoned (Eastern portion)
Operational (Western portion from Arlington Yard to NJ for freight rail)
OwnerStaten Island Railway
LocaleStaten Island, New York, U.S.
Termini
Stations14 (formerly)
Service
TypeRapid transit
Rail freight transport
SystemStaten Island Railway
Operator(s)Staten Island Railway
Conrail Shared Assets (freight service since 2005 from Arlington Yard to NJ)
History
OpenedFebruary 23, 1886
ClosedMarch 31, 1953
Reopened2005 (western portion for freight service)
Technical
Number of tracks2
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Electrification1925
Route map

0.0
 
12.2
Cranford
Raritan Valley Line
11.7
9.2
Linden Yard
6.8
Howland Hook
6.1
Port Ivory
National Grid
Travis
Fresh Kills
Arlington Yard (freight)
5.2
Arlington
4.9
Harbor Road
Union Avenue
4.6
Mariners' Harbor
4.3
Lake Avenue
3.9
Elm Park
3.4
Tower Hill
3.0
Port Richmond
2.4
West New Brighton
1.8
Livingston
1.2
Sailors' Snug Harbor
0.7
New Brighton
RCB Ballpark
00.0
St. George
Staten Island Ferry

The North Shore Branch is a partially abandoned branch of the Staten Island Railway in New York City, which operated along Staten Island's North Shore from Saint George to Port Ivory. The line continues into New Jersey via the Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge to Aldene Junction in Cranford.

The line started construction in 1884, and rapid transit service on the line started on February 23, 1886. Passenger service on the North Shore Branch ended on March 31, 1953, although freight service continued to run along part of the North Shore Branch until 1989. In 2001, part of the line on the east end was reactivated for a short extension to Ballpark, which was in use from 2001 to 2010. In 2005, freight service on the western portion of the line was reactivated, and there are proposals to reactivate the former passenger line for rail or bus service.